Akwaaba Ensemble

PTTSFIELD, Mass. — Two blocks of North Street will be transformed into a global festival on Sunday as the annual Pittsfield Ethnic Fair celebrates the Berkshires' diversity.

The street will be closed from noon to 6, rain or shine, on Sunday, Aug. 2, to be filled with thousands of pedestrians enjoying tantalizing aromas, captivating rhythms and colorful costumes. (See map and listings below)

Free and open to all, the fair features dozens of international food and craft vendors and two stages of music and dance including African music and dance, salsa rhythms, Irish fiddles, Scottish bagpipes, and much more. In addition, the popular Raptor Project "Birds of Prey" show and exhibit will look at the region's avian variety.

Two stages will feature dancing music from the recording artists Mark VI Polka Orchestra; the return of Boston-based dancing sensation Veronica Robles and her mariachi ensemble; the Akwaaba Traditional African Drum and Dance Ensemble; the Puerto Rican folkloric music group Taineri, traditional Irish tunes from Daniels, McManus and Guests; the Albany (N.Y.) Berkshire Ballet, Youth Alive Step Dance and Drum Line, performances from the Michael Farrell School of Irish Dance, Celtic bagpipes from Ruari Layton and Gaia Roots performing African and Caribbean drumming.

- iBerkshires.com

Manchester , NH — UNH Manchester will host AKWAABA, a traditional African drum and dance ensemble onThursday, August 31 from 11:30 – 1:30. The performance will be held in the mill yard, behind UNH Manchester at the riverside park adjacent to Arm’s parking lot (the event will be moved to the third floor auditorium if it rains). African donuts, art work, and music CD’s will be available to purchase. Proceeds will benefit the New Hampshire African Community Center.

Akwaaba, the traditional African drum and dance ensemble, has been drumming and dancing together for many years in both Ghana and the United States. The group was formed by Theophilus Nii Martey, a talented artist who was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa.

UNH Manchester, UNH's urban campus, offers liberal arts and applied majors in business, science, and technology, all with an urban focus. UNH Manchester is UNH. Learn more at www.unhm.unh.edu. - UNH Manchester Press Release

The Heritage Festival’s Main Tent showcases outstanding local and regional performers, sharing the sounds of the past and multicultural traditions that have been passed on through the generations. The weekend gets off to a rollicking start with food, music, and opening ceremonies at 5:30 Friday night and continues throughout the weekend until Sunday at 7 pm. Featured new acts this year include Opa’s Oompah Band, which kicks off the festivities during the Friday night Soup and Chowder Fest; a team of Japanese Taiko Drummers, who start the day on Saturday morning; and the Webster Family performing on the Scottish bagpipes. Back at the festival after a hiatus are the extreme juggling duo, Two, and folk favorites Susie Burke and David Surette—joined this year by daughters Isa and Julianna. Returning favorites on Saturday include the Murray Irish Dancers, Accordion Warrior Gary Sredzienski, Chinese Folk Art Workshop and the mighty Jumbo Circus Peanuts, who will rock the main tent during the Best Dessert of the Seacoast Bake-Off on Saturday night. Returning favorites on Sunday include the Extreme Air Jump Ropers, Voices from the Heart, and the Akwaaba African Dance and Drum Ensemble. - Seacoast NH.com

The Heritage Festival’s Main Tent showcases outstanding local and regional performers, sharing the sounds of the past and multicultural traditions that have been passed on through the generations. The weekend gets off to a rollicking start with food, music, and opening ceremonies at 5:30 Friday night and continues throughout the weekend until Sunday at 7 pm. Featured new acts this year include Opa’s Oompah Band, which kicks off the festivities during the Friday night Soup and Chowder Fest; a team of Japanese Taiko Drummers, who start the day on Saturday morning; and the Webster Family performing on the Scottish bagpipes. Back at the festival after a hiatus are the extreme juggling duo, Two, and folk favorites Susie Burke and David Surette—joined this year by daughters Isa and Julianna. Returning favorites on Saturday include the Murray Irish Dancers, Accordion Warrior Gary Sredzienski, Chinese Folk Art Workshop and the mighty Jumbo Circus Peanuts, who will rock the main tent during the Best Dessert of the Seacoast Bake-Off on Saturday night. Returning favorites on Sunday include the Extreme Air Jump Ropers, Voices from the Heart, and the Akwaaba African Dance and Drum Ensemble. - Seacoast NH.com

The Heritage Festival’s Main Tent showcases outstanding local and regional performers, sharing the sounds of the past and multicultural traditions that have been passed on through the generations. The weekend gets off to a rollicking start with food, music, and opening ceremonies at 5:30 Friday night and continues throughout the weekend until Sunday at 7 pm. Featured new acts this year include Opa’s Oompah Band, which kicks off the festivities during the Friday night Soup and Chowder Fest; a team of Japanese Taiko Drummers, who start the day on Saturday morning; and the Webster Family performing on the Scottish bagpipes. Back at the festival after a hiatus are the extreme juggling duo, Two, and folk favorites Susie Burke and David Surette—joined this year by daughters Isa and Julianna. Returning favorites on Saturday include the Murray Irish Dancers, Accordion Warrior Gary Sredzienski, Chinese Folk Art Workshop and the mighty Jumbo Circus Peanuts, who will rock the main tent during the Best Dessert of the Seacoast Bake-Off on Saturday night. Returning favorites on Sunday include the Extreme Air Jump Ropers, Voices from the Heart, and the Akwaaba African Dance and Drum Ensemble. - Seacoast NH.com

The Heritage Festival’s Main Tent showcases outstanding local and regional performers, sharing the sounds of the past and multicultural traditions that have been passed on through the generations. The weekend gets off to a rollicking start with food, music, and opening ceremonies at 5:30 Friday night and continues throughout the weekend until Sunday at 7 pm. Featured new acts this year include Opa’s Oompah Band, which kicks off the festivities during the Friday night Soup and Chowder Fest; a team of Japanese Taiko Drummers, who start the day on Saturday morning; and the Webster Family performing on the Scottish bagpipes. Back at the festival after a hiatus are the extreme juggling duo, Two, and folk favorites Susie Burke and David Surette—joined this year by daughters Isa and Julianna. Returning favorites on Saturday include the Murray Irish Dancers, Accordion Warrior Gary Sredzienski, Chinese Folk Art Workshop and the mighty Jumbo Circus Peanuts, who will rock the main tent during the Best Dessert of the Seacoast Bake-Off on Saturday night. Returning favorites on Sunday include the Extreme Air Jump Ropers, Voices from the Heart, and the Akwaaba African Dance and Drum Ensemble. - Seacoast NH.com

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African Beat: Translated to English, the group's name says it all: "Welcome" from the West African land of Ghana. And the band is a welcome contribution to the state's creative community. The polyrhythmic cultural heartbeat of the Akwaaba Ensemble (akwaabaensemble.com) brings West African drumming and dance to life, reverberating out of the streets of Manchester where the group is based to the entire state as they perform in schools, at festivals and in concerts. The ensemble is led by master percussionist and teacher Theophilus Nii Martey, who began studying traditional African music during his childhood in Ghana. - NH Magazine